Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, CEO of the National Vaccine Institute and renowned public health advocate, has emphasised that achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) without quality health services is “meaningless.”
He made this call at the 9th John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Lecture, held at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho.
The lecture, themed “Advancing Quality Health Systems in Ghana Amidst Global Disruptions,” saw Dr. Sodzi-Tettey outline a roadmap for enhancing Ghana’s health system. He urged stakeholders to focus on achieving Basic Minimum Standards system-wide and beyond, highlighting leadership and governance under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) as foundational.
Dr. Sodzi-Tettey stressed the importance of clinical audits and innovative reimbursement mechanisms that reward quality care. “We cannot afford to chase UHC targets without ensuring that the services people receive are safe, effective, and centred on their needs,” he said.
He advocated for a redesign of service delivery models, particularly to address the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Strategic alignment between NHIA policies and clinical quality improvement efforts is crucial to ensure care is accessible, responsive, and evidence-based.
The lecture series, organised annually in honour of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, drew participants from academia, government, civil society, and the healthcare profession.
UHAS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lydia Aziato, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to advancing health systems research and training future health leaders.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
